Sadanand Date to be new chief of Force One

Senior IPS officer Sadanand Date, who received President’s Police Medal for bravery during 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, will be the new chief of Force One, the specialised commando unit of Maharashtra formed on the lines of National Security Guard (NSG), sources said.

Mr. Date, who is currently the Additional Police Commissioner (Central region) would replace S. Jagannathan, who is going on a foreign assignment and would be part of the Interpol, they said.

Mr. Date, along with his superior ATS chief Hemant Karkare and colleagues Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar, fought with terrorists Ajmal Kasab and his aide Abu Ismail on November 26, 2008 at Cama hospital in south Mumbai.

Mr. Date had sustained grievous injuries while Karkare, Kamte and Salaskar died fighting the terrorists.

During the 59-hour siege, the elite NSG, flown in from Delhi was pressed into action to fight the terrorists and bring situation under control.

Following the attacks, the State government formed the Force One to swiftly act against the terrorists in case of attacks. The unit, consisting of commandos who had undergone rigorous training, has been equipped with high-end weapons, including AK-47s.